Matric can prove to be a challenging year no matter how talented you may be. However, this challenge can grow while focusing on more than just academics.
To learn more about this balancing act, the NEWS met with one of Edenglen High Schools top athletes, Henry Emejuru.
The 17-year-old runs the 100m (in 10:53) and 200m (in 22: 57). He also sprints for the school.
Although Henry was not interested in athletics when he first started school at Edenglen high, his passion for it slowly grew.
“I went to primary school at Jacaranda Academy, because it is a smaller school it did not offer many sports and so I focused on my academics,” said Henry.
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When Henry joined Edenglen high, he pursued his soccer passion and played for the school despite teachers encouraging him to do athletics.
“I was very passionate about soccer. When I was younger, my family would watch matches whenever we could.”
After an injury in Grade Nine, Henry stepped away from sports to allow his body to heal.
In Grade 10, Henry tried athletics in addition to playing soccer and focusing on athletics.
“After a while, it was becoming more difficult to balance the three, so I decided to stop soccer and rather focus on athletics and academics.”
Since making that decision, the matric learner’s athletics career has exploded. He is currently being coached by Akani Simbine’s coach, Werner Prinsloo.
Henry said it has been a great opportunity to train with the coach of Akani, a former Edenglen High School learner and South African Olympian and winner of the 2018 Commonwealth Games 100m final.
In one week, he trains for 10 hours over five days after school. His training focuses on endurance, strength and fitness.
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When training ends at 5.30pm, Henry starts his schoolwork at about 7 pm when he gets home.
“Balancing schoolwork and athletics are quite challenging, but I am able to do my best by prioritising.”
“Although athletics and school are both priorities in my life, school work does come first.”
Besides prioritising, Henry said religion is a big part of his life and often prays to God for strength to continue successfully in academics and athletics.
“After an hour-and-a-half of school work I get ready for bed, but before I sleep, I set goals for myself to become even better.”
In the years to come, Henry hopes to represent South Africa at the 2024 Olympics.
“For me competing at the Olympics is one of the highest achievements,” said Henry.
“Besides representing the country, I will be able to inspire other young athletes.”
Next year he hopes to obtain a sports scholarship at the University of Pretoria to study sports science.
